Laura Turner, Director at Large Candidate

Laura Turner, Caterpillar, Inc.

Statement of Concern 

Illinois libraries, regardless of type, face similar challenges. Funding, visibility, promoting value and reaching diverse patrons are concerns for all. When we address these issues with the combined voices of all libraries, lead by multi-type organizations such as the Illinois Library Association, we strengthen our ability to find solutions. Having engaged in projects will all library types, I’ve seen the benefits of working together. This includes: 

  • A 2019 Peoria Inter-Business issues article about libraries and STEM. It featured what Peoria-area special, public, school and academic libraries are doing in this space.
  • As 2018-19 RAILS board president, I encouraged all library types to advocate for school libraries. With AISLE and RAILS, we re-instated the AISLE Central Illinois chapter. I’ve also supplied school libraries with tools to help them promote non-fiction and science literature at their library.
  • A project with the Purdue University engineering library studying the information seeing habits of engineering students versus working engineers. The goal of this academic-special library partnership was to bridge the gap between education and real-world application. 
  • Winning a combined grant with the Morton Public Library to bring STEM kits and books into local classrooms.
  • Working with SLA (Special Library Association) to create a workplace information literacy framework.

If elected to the ILA Board I would continue to advocate for the combined strength of all library types in tackling Illinois library issues. I would also continue to be a voice for special libraries in the library-world.

Experience 

Librarian, Caterpillar Technical Information Center: 2012-present
Librarian, Illinois Central College; 2010-2012

Education

MLIS, University of Illinois, 2010
Millikin University, BS

Professional Memberships and Activities

RAILS Board member, 2014-2019
     Vice President 2017-18
     President 2018-19

SLA member, 2018-present

Peoria-Area STEM outreach, 2012-present

Soon-to-be-Famous author contest judge, 2017

 

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